An elevator is lifted by its cables at a constant speed. Is the total work done on the elevator positive, negative, or zero? Explain your answer.
An elevator is lifted by its cables at a constant speed. Is the total work done on the elevator positive, negative, or zero? Explain your answer.
College Physics
11th Edition
ISBN:9781305952300
Author:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Publisher:Raymond A. Serway, Chris Vuille
Chapter1: Units, Trigonometry. And Vectors
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1CQ: Estimate the order of magnitude of the length, in meters, of each of the following; (a) a mouse, (b)...
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Transcribed Image Text:### Physics Problem: Work on an Elevator
**Question 3:**
An elevator is lifted by its cables at a constant speed. Is the total work done on the elevator positive, negative, or zero? Explain your answer.
**Explanation:**
To determine the total work done on an elevator moving at a constant speed, we consider the forces involved. When an elevator moves at a constant speed, the net force acting on it is zero because there is no acceleration. This means that the upward force provided by the cables is equal in magnitude to the downward gravitational force acting on the elevator.
Since the forces are balanced, the mechanical work done by the force of the cables (which is positive) is exactly equal to the work done by gravity (which is negative, since it opposes the motion). These two amounts of work cancel each other out, resulting in a total net work of zero on the elevator.
Therefore, the total work done on the elevator is zero.
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